Tag Archives: reflection
Anything and anyone can be used as Mirrors
Today’s Daily Prompt: You wake up one morning to a world without mirrors. How does your life — from your everyday routines to your perception of yourself — change?
Not having to look at mirrors everyday may lead many of us, including myself, to rely on other people’s accounts on our looks (‘you have toothpaste on your cheeks’). We may never be able to check for ourselves whether we really have something on our cheeks, or whether our hair looks great. It could also mean that we would stop staring at our own reflections while judging ourselves whether we measure up to society’s idea of what we should look like. Is that a good thing? How would that affect our confidence, if at all? Would we all care?
I must remind you that we never truly see with our own eyes. We see with our beliefs. Our various ideas of what we should look like are shaped by our experiences, our interactions with things and people. Also, anything and anyone can be used as mirrors. We can truly see who we are by looking at the people around us, as most of them would treat us the way we treat them.
Daily Prompt: Memory On The Menu
Which good memories are better – the recent and vivid ones or those that time has covered in a sweet haze?
Isn’t most (or all) of our memories – even the recent ones – coloured by our own interpretations and experiences? A lot of research has said so.
Nevertheless, I like all of my memories- even the sad ones, regardless of when they were formed. I learn from my mistakes, I try my hardest to be stronger after a misfortune, and most of all, I enjoy my triumphs and sweet moments. I enjoy reminiscing the past. It is always nice to look back and reflect on my decisions, feelings, actions or lack thereof. Reflecting, analysing and then making the necessary adjustments is how I improve. I intend to carry on this way. And this is why I cherrish ALL of my memories!
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More Memories on the menu:
When I was 10
When I was 10 years old, I was convinced I was going to be a professional basketball player when I grow up. I practised everyday for hours on end. I made huge strides in improving my dribbling, shooting and passing skills. I made sure I played against better players each day, and tried my best to beat them. I also remember not being able to sleep after my team lost a game.
Basketball was my life back then. I watched every single basketball game that was on TV. Homeworks, school projects and exams were disregarded and set aside. Lunch and breaktimes were spent playing basketball under the sun. I challenged the best players in my town to one-on-one games (I lost to most of them). I played until I cannot run anymore.
My dream of playing pro-ball ended when I broke both my ankles and tore the ligaments in my shoulder a few years ago. Doctors have advised me to quit basketball but I ignored them. I kept playing for two more years which made my shoulder worse. This forced me to sadly give up my childhood dream.
Although I suffered inside for a long time after that decision, I take solace from the fact that at the age of 10, I was able to focus on a goal. I have done everything that I can to advance and reach my goal. I was determined.
Though I failed to become a professional basketball player, my unparalleled determination and drive to succeed have stayed with me ever since. Nobody can tell me I can’t do something just because it’s too hard.
My pro-ball dream isn’t too far removed from what I do now, which is an educator of young people wigth Special Educational Needs. I enjoy my job as much as I used to enjoy basketball. I inspire other people as much as (I think) I would if I’m playing ball. What’s even better is that I am changing others’ lives much more with my current job than I feel I would ever have as a basketball player.
A Reflective Exercise for Teachers
People who work in the education industry need to be reflective, regardless of the length and wealth of their experiences. Being able to pause and think about one’s beliefs, attitudes and behaviours can greatly help both professionals and students alike. However, evaluating your own actions and philosophies should also be coupled with the willingness to change.
In this light, I urge you to conduct the following reflective exercise (adopted from Bartolo et al., 2007):
Think of two of your current or previous students- one who was very successful in school and one who was not. Consider the impact on them of their:
- Cultural Background
- Readiness for Formal Education
- Gender
- Behaviours
- Social Maturity
- Classroom Context
- Special Educational Needs
Understanding and Embracing Diversity 